Straight lift pumping unit



April 5, 1938. A. N. PORTER 2,113,281

STRAIGHT LIF PUMPING UNlT Filed May l, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Aprl 5, 1938.

A. N. PORTER STRAIGHT LIFT PUMPING UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed lay 1, 1937 lINVENTOR /b ff /V Pof'ef B ATTORNEY April 5, 193s. A. N. PORTER 2,113,281

STRAIGHT LIFT PUMPNG UNIT `Filed lay i, 1957 s sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR j Alb rff/V. l Pwr-fer? avm' v ArroRNEY Patented Apr. 5, 1938 STRAIGHT LIFT PUMPING UNIT i Albert N. Porter, Tulsa, Okla., assigner to J. F. Darby, Tulsa, Okla.

Application May 1, 193'31,`Serial No. 140,219

"1 2 Claims.

This invention relates to well pumping apparatus, particularly to those used for pumping oil wells, and has for its principal object to provide an apparatus of this character` constructed `to impart straight lift of the pumping rods.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide an improved beam structure that may be formed of standard structural members so related as to produce straight lift of tlhe rods, and

which have ample strength to withstand forces of the pumping load.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a beam structure having a high strength weight ratio; and to reduce the cross-sectional size of the beam required in handling a given pumping load.

A further object of the invention is to provide the beam with counterweights tending to balance the weight of the pumping rods so as to facilitate the straight lift action applied to the rods.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure. the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y, 1

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a pumping unit embodying the features of the present in- Yention.

:nl -Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe pumping unit.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the pumping unit.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section through the counter-balanced end of the beam.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a pumping jack constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section through the apparatus on the line 'I-'I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of a further modified formof the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, and rst to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusuive:

I and 2 designate spaced sills preferably of I-beam type and connected by cross members 3, 4 and 5 to form a skid-like base carrying a walking beam supporting structure B and a power transmission unit 1. 'Ihe structure 6 includes pairs of corner legs 1 3 and S-IIl, having their lower ends connectingly supported onthe upper 55 flanges II and I2 of the sills I and 2, adjacent Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5--5 of the rear ends thereof, to leave space at their forward ends for mounting the transmissionunit 1.

The legs 1 ,8 and B-ID o f each pair converge upwardly and inwardly and are connected at their upper ends by plates I3 andy I4. The lowerportions of the legs are further braced by girths I5 and cross braces I6 to enhance the rigidity there-- of. The pairs of legs l-8 and 9-I0 converge toward each other and support a platform Il that is spaced below the upper ends thereof to mount a fulcrum I8 on which the walking beam is pivotally mounted, as later described. The platform I`I- includes cross girths I9 which cooperate with lower cross girths 20 and cross braces ZI to enhance the rigidity of the legs in a crosswise direction. 'The platform I1, which carries the fulcrum, is further braced by gusset plates 22 and 23 secured to the legs and to they under side of the platform. The pairs of legs 'l and 8 may be provided at the level of the platform` with a walkway 24 that is reached by a. ladder, consisting of cleats 25, secured to the leg l.

Oscillatably mounted on the fulcrum member I8, and operable between the upper ends of the pairs of legs 'I-8 and 9I0,.is a walking beam 26 constructed to form an important part of the present invention. The beam 26 includes upper and lower sections 2l and 28 preferably formed of standard structural members, such as I-beams, having upper and lower flanges 28-30 and 3 I--32 and webs 33 and 34. In the illustrated instances, the beam sections are arranged with the flanges thereof extending horizontally and the webs vertically, as shown in Fig. 3. The flange 32 of the lower beam section is provided approximately midway of its length with a bearing member 35 that is pivotally supported on the fulcrum member I8. In the illustrated instance the fulcrum I8 is shown as provided with a knife edge bearing 36 that is engaged in a V shaped seat 3l of the .bearing member 35, however.. other types oi bearings may be substituted without departing from the spirit of the invention. Fixed upon the upper flange 3| are spaced plates 38 forming tracks for rollers 39, as shown in Fig. 1, to mount the upper beam section 2l. The lower flange 30 of the beam section 21 isalso provided with plates 40 bearing upon the rollers whereby the upper section is mounted for rolling, reciprocatory movement on the lower section during'oscillation of the beam, as later described. The plates 38 and 4Il are preferably attached b y rbolts 4I to adapt them for ready removal and replacement in case of wear.

The ends of the rollers are preferably provided with flanges 42 and 48 that overlap the side edges o'f the plates 88 and 48 to retain the beam sections in vertical alignment so that the upper section reciprocates in a xed path on the lower section. The forward end of the upper beam section carries a fulcrum member 44 for mounting a cross bar 45, having its ends projecting beyond the side edges of the beam section to carry reins 46 and 41 that are connected to a polish rod of a pumping string (not-shown). The opposite end of the upper beam section carries a counterbalance 48 comprising a series of weights 49 having interconnected, substantially I-shaped openings 58 and 5| extending therethrough to accommodate theends of the beam sections. The upper opening is of sufilcientdimensions to closely it the end of the upper beam section, but the lower opening is sufficiently large to loosely pass the lower beam section as best shown in Fig. 5. The weights 49 are secured in juxtaposition by means of cross bolts 52 extending through the weights and through the web 33 of the upper beam section, as shown in Figs. l and 5.

In the illustrated instance, the lower beam section is'oscillated by the power of a prime mover (not shown), through the transmission mechanism 1. The transmission mechanism 1 includes a housing 53 that is mounted on the forward end of the sill 2 and carries suitable gearing that is actuated by a shaft 54 carrying a pulley 55 driven by a belt 58. The transmission unit 1 also includes a crank shaft 51, ca'rrying a crank 58 that is operably connected with the lower beam section by means o! a pitman 59, the pitman being connected with the beam section at a point ahead of its fulcruming point. The pitman and crank therefore tend to support the forward end of the beam.

In orderto eiect reciprocation of the upper beam on the lower beam section to maintain the fulcnim member 44 in jperpendicular alignment with the polish rod, the upper beam section is provided with a control mechanism now to be described. 'I'he control mechanism includes spaced links 68 and 6| that are pivotally connected by bolts or the like62 with bracket plates `65| and 64 projecting rearwardly from the legs 1 and 8, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The opposite ends ot'A the links are connected with a shaft 65 that is mounted in a bearing bracket 66 xed transversely across the upper flange 29 of the beam section at a point rearwardly of the fulcrum.

The length of the links 68 and the relative distances of the pivotal axis thereof from the fulcrum point of the beam are so related as to produce the desired reciprocatory movement of the upper beam section on the lower beam section to maintain a straight lift on the polish rod.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, 61 and 68 designate spaced frames that are supported by longitudinal sills 69 and 18. The upper ends of the frames are spaced apart to mount bearing members 1| and 12 to carry a cross shaft 13 to mount a saddle bearing 14 that supports the lower beam section 15, similar to the lower beam section in the first form of the invention.

Reciprocably mounted on the beam section 15, and bearing upon rollers 18, is the upper beam section 11 that carries a fulcrum 18 which mounts a cross head 19 to which the polish rod 88 is connected, as in standard practice. The opposite end of the beam section carries counterbalance weights 8|, similar to thepreferred form of the invention. Mounted on the upper ends of the frames 61 and 68 are brackets 82 and 88 which project above the upper beam section and carry a cross shaft 84 having links 85 and 86, corresponding to the control links in the first form of the invention. The opposite ends of the links are connected with a shaft 81 that is fixed in a bearing bracket 89 attached to the upper beam section. vIn this form of the invention the beam sections. are actuated by a pull rod 98 that 1s connected with a depending arm 9| attached to the saddle 13 and braced from the lower beam section by an angular brace member 92.

' The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8 shows a single beam 93 that is oscillatably supported in the same manner as the lower beam section 15in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and the fulcrum 94, which carries the polish rod cross head 95, is mounted on a carriage 96 rollingly supported on the beam by means of rollers 91 and 98. The carriage 96 is reciprocated on the beam incidental to oscillation thereof by means of an arm 99 that is connected thereto, and with links |88 that are pivoted to a bracket member I8 I, similar to the bracket members 82 in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and '1. The arm 99 is kept in functional relation with the beam by rollers |82 that are secured to ears |83 depending downwardly along the sides oi' the beam so that'the rollers engage under the upper beam flanges |84.

The operation of the pumping apparatus assembled as illustrated in Figs. l to '5, is as follows:

- Rotation of the crank 58 causes oscillation of the lower beam section through the pitman 59. The upper beam section, being mounted on the lower beam section, oscillates therewith and reciprocates thereon incidental to its link connection with the brackets on the supporting frame. For example, as the forward ends of the beam sections swing upwardly and the rear ends downwardly, the links 68 and 6|' swing downwardly in an -arc about the axis of the bolts 62,l

so that the axis of the shaft approaches the vertical plane extending through the rst named axis, which causesrolling movement of the upper beam section on the lower beam section as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, the linkage being such that'the forward movement of the beam section is suflcient to maintain the polish rod in substantially perpendicular position. Dur

ing this movement the counterweights are carried forwardly therewith, however, they slide loosely over the rear end'of the lower beam section as shown by the dotted lines. When the beam sections have reached the top of their Astroke and are caused to move downwardly as the crank 58 passes upper dead center, the control links swing upwardly to cause retractive movement of the upper beam section as shownv by the upper dotted lines (Fig. l), so as to retain the fulcrum point 44 of` the anchor in perpendicular alignment with the axis-of the polish rod..A

and means for wiilating thei'ulcrumedbeai'n l sectionV to eiIect oscillatory and lreoipri'acatoryy From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided a relatively simple pumping apparatus wherein a straight lift is imparted to the rods and the beam sections may be formed of standardstructural shapes, one of the sections supplementing the other to impart the `required rigidity.

What I claim and' desire Patent is: f'

1. A pumping rig. including a support, a beam member, means mounting the beam member for to secure by Letters oscillatory movement on the support, means for actuating the beam member, a. reciprocatory member, means mounting the reciprocatory member for rolling support by the beam member, a polish rod hanger connected with said reciprocatorymember, and means for reciprocating the reciprocatory member during oscillation of the beam member.

2. A pumping rig including a support, superimposed beam sections arrangedon the support whereby the pumping loads are carried by both sections, means fulcruming one beam section on the support, means for oscillating the iulcrumed beam section, means mounting the other beam section for reciprocatory movement on the fulcrumed beam section,.and means for reciprocating the reciprocatory beam section-on the fulcrumed beam section incidental to oscillation of the fulcrumed beam section.

' 3. A pumping rig including a support, a beam member, means mounting the beam member for oscillatory movement on the support, means for vactuating'the beam member, a member mounted for reciprocatory movement on the beam member,

a polish rod-hanger having pivotal connection only-with said reciprocatory member, and means for connecting the reciprocatory member with the support to eiect reciprocation of said reciprocatory member incidental to oscillation of the beam member.

4. A pumping rig including a support, superimposed beam sections having substantially equal load bearing capacities, means fulcruming one oi the beam sections on the support, means for oscillating the fulcrumed beam section, means mounting the other beam section for reciprocatory movement on the fulcrumed beam section, and means forreciprocatlng the reciprocatory beam section on the fulcrumed beam section incidental to oscillation of the iulcrumed cruming the lower beam section on the support means mounting the other beam section for reciprocatory movement on the fulcr'umed beam section, a bracket on the support. a link pivotally connected with-the bracket and having pivotal connection with the reciprocatory beam section,

movement of said-@other beam section.

7. In a pumping rig, spaced pairs of suppfill-k l" v ing legs, a platform carried lbetween the pairsv of legs and spaced below the upper ends of said 1egs,'a iulcrum member on the platform, a beam section pivoted on the fulcrum-member, abeam I section having rolling support on the fuicrumed beam section,"bracketscarriedby the' pairs o! legs onopposite sides of the beam sections, links pivoted -on the brackets, and means pivotally connecting the links'with the beam section having said rolling support.

8. A -pumping rig including a support, a comprising upper and lower-.beam sections, means fulcruming one ofthe beam sections on the support, means rollin'gly supporting the other beam section for reciprocation relatively to the fulcrumed beam-section, a polish rod hanger car- `ried by one end of the reciprocatory beam section, and a counter-weight connectingly supv ported by the opposite end of said beam section.'

9. A pumping rig including a support, a beam n member, means mounting the beam member for oscillatory movement on the support, means for oscillating the beam member rollers on the beam member, a member mounted on .said rollers for reciprocatory movement on the beam member, a polish rod hanger connected with said recipro catory member, and means `connecting the re ciprocatory member with the support to eect reciprocation of said reciprocatory member inc i-l I dentall to oscillation of the beam me'x'nber.V

l0. A pumping rig including a support, a beam.

comprising upper and lower beam sections,y means fulcruming one of the beam sections on the sup-V port, rollers on the iulcrumed beam section and carrying the other beam section for reciprocatory. v movement on the Iulcrumed beam section, and

a link mechanism connecting the. reciprocatory cation thereof incidental to iulcrum beam section.

ll. A pumping rig including a support, a beam comprising upper and lower beam sections, means fulcruming one of the beam sections on the support, rollers on the fulcrumed beam section and carrying the otherv beam section for reciprocatory movement on the fulcrumed beam section, wear plates iixed to the, beam sections for contacting with the rollers, and a link mechanism connectimg the reciprocatory beam section with the support to eilect reciprocation thereof incidental to oscillation of the fulcrum beam section.

12. A pumping rig including a support, a beam.

section, means mounting the beam section for oscillatory .movement on the support at a pointintermediate its ends, a superimposed beam section, means mounting the respective ends of the superimposed beam section adjacent the corresponding ends of the'oscillatory beam section, a

polish rod hanger connected with the reciprocatory beam section, means for oscillating the oscillatory beam section, and means connected .with the reciprocatory beam section for eilecting on f reciprocatory movement of said beam section the oscillatory beam section.v

ALBERT "N, PORTER.

beam section .with the support to effect recipxooscillation of the", 

